Windows 7 is good enough. The problems it does have are largely fixable. People don't buy new computers just to get a new OS at this point in time and they don't feel the need to upgrade their current computer to the latest and greatest, either. The OS upgrade treadmill is running out of steam for Microsoft. They also already charge a pretty hefty fee for Windows 7 and make a lot of money doing so. Instead of trying to make a new OS every two years and fragmenting their user base they should focus on refining what they already have as they'll still make a boatload of money off it and they won't drive users away with change they don't want.

Cheers,
-WW

If the Supreme Court ruled that Aeroe is a cable company does the FCC really have any choice about whether or not to grant them the status of a cable company? I'm obviously not a lawyer but it seems to me that if the Supreme Court says they're a cable company than the FCC doesn't have a whole hell of a lot of leeway to argue otherwise.

-WW

It hasn't been used in mainstream computers but it isn't new. It was used in the Cray 3 (even if only one was ever produced) and that was back in the late 80s and early 90s. They've actually got one of those chips at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View. It is also used in some satellite communication electronics.

Even if it gets continued development and turns out to be technically superior to Silicon on not sure how it will fare. If it is found to be environmentally harmful it could end up restricted under something like ROHS. Anybody know how toxic it is once its in its crystallized form?

Oh, and here is a cool video I came across when I googled for the Cray 3 link. Its Seymour Cray talking about Gallium Arsinide at the 1988 Supercomputing Conference.

Cheers,
--WW

I'm not so sure that they plan on finding methane as much as they can produce methane from other gasses that are there. Its an easier fuel to manufacture than kerosene and easier to handle than hydrogen.

Cheers,
-WW

I have no problem with it. Also, this site is so small and the story rate is so slow that any good ones should be submitted even if they have been posted elsewhere.

Cheers,
-WW

Is there a preferred way to report bugs and make feature requests? Not just for the homepage but for pipedot as a whole?

Cheers,
-WW

How exactly does this provide a gateway to Windows Phones? If they're using an Android phone and get used to it and the Android app ecosystem how does that provide a gateway again? Just sound to me like more of Elops bullshit. That man sold Nokia down the river. I still don't understand how he got away with selling out the company he runs and its shareholders that blatantly.

Cheers,
-WW

I wish articles like this had more details. Are Seimens and GE buying 3d printing machines from someone else, or using their own? What metals are they using for the 3d printing? How does the strength of the product compare to alternate manufacturing methods? That being an industry publication I'm sure the people reading it would be able to handle the details. So, does anyone here know the nitty-gritty or links to places with more details of metal based 3d printing?

Cheers,
-WW

I think you messed the link up on that. I'm curious about it though; any chance you could reply with the link?

I think that the engines will prove capable of multiple uses. They've ground tested them extensively for multiples of the flight time. While its definitely not the real thing I believe it to be good enough to reasonably assume they'll work for multiple flights. And the F9 first stage does have engine out capability. I'm more concerned with how the stage as a whole will deal with multiple cycles through the transonic re-entry regime and with landing system. We'll see how things play out, though.

Cheers,
-WW

Is there a reason there haven't been any new articles on the front page for a few days? Just curious whats up.

Cheers,
-WW

Just like to say that I love the look. It is information dense but still amazingly clean. I'm not usually one to comment on the appearance of web pages or apps as I don't often think its that important, but you really nailed things here. Cheers, -WW